50 Best Cafes near San Leandro

“A nice place for unusual, and tasty Pakistani, mediteranian food. Very fresh with outside dining, but short hours: breakfast and lunch closes at 2 pm. No photos, the food disappeared too fast! We usually order the lamb burger, Sammy's lunch, and the chicharron sandwich, They have vegetarian options, and mini cakes.“

“i judge donut shops by the quality of their plain donuts. after trying several different shops, magdali deli remains #1 on my list! their old fashioned batter is buttery and sweet even without glaze, fried to crisp perfection.

the donuts are slightly higher priced than some other places, but i believe they taste better. the espresso machine is usually broken so i go for a café con leche. i like that they sell mexican candy and snacks!“

“8-Twelve is a true neighborhood gem. It is the kind of place where kids can grab a snack and a fun drink for a reasonable price, and then just relax after school. Even though it is not as close to the middle or high school as some of the other hangouts, it has become one of our favorites.

I appreciate that it has lasted the test of time and I hope it continues to thrive. One of the best parts is that they offer non-caffeinated tea drinks for the kids, which is rare and so thoughtful.

8-Twelve has that welcoming vibe that makes it feel like part of the community.“

“I was there on 3/24/2020, during the morning senior hours. I WAS BLOWN AWAY AND SO HAPPY, SO IMPRESSED WITH SAFEWAY'S CLEAN AND ORGANIZED STORE. Great job Safeway, I normally shop with you anyway, from now on, NOBODY BUT SAFEWAY WILL GET MY BUSINESS!!“

“Good stuff, love nondairy options!“

“This is our go-to for breakfast. Good ingredients that are fresh (who sources their eggs??? They’re always so good!), good cooking, and that classic diner experience. We look forward to slow weekends and days off when we can go in and grab breakfast. It’s the kind of place you go to for five or six years before realizing you’ve been going for years.“

“went here the other day for lunch (for the 1st time ever). due to a coworker introducing me to your DELICIOUS sandwiches, you are going to see A LOT MORE!!! Thank you very much! and my one and only recommendation, PLEASE COME AND TRY & SUPPORT! This deli is the real deal & so AMAZING & DELICIOUS! Lastly, the family/ customer service is GREAT!! Thank you again! ✌🏽 ❤ 🥪 😋“

“Best blind ice triple mocha..yummy to my tummy!!! And really enjoyed the event tonight...beautiful atmosphere❤“

“Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans.

What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story.

The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.“

“wonderful owners. good concept.“

“Chicken and waffles ? ? on point as always. I think I’ll try dinner next time.“

“Petit Cafe is a hidden gem! The warm ambiance, delightful pastries, and rich coffee make it the perfect spot to unwind. The staff are friendly, and every visit feels like a little escape from the hustle and bustle. Highly recommend!“

“The best place ever. Love them ❤️ 💕“

“Cool, versatile spot — serve wine, tea & coffee so perfect Friday spot ;-) Sometimes get a bit loud if you’re really trying to focus on work.

They even carry Blue Willow tea, a quality, local brand based in Berkeley. Check out their stuff.“

“Great atmosphere, extremely friendly, and delicious food. Shout out to the strawberry lavender matcha latte, very tasty. Just the right portions, didn’t leave hungry but didn’t over eat. Vegetarian friendly with substitutes. Some of the most refreshing water I’ve had.“

“First time having Ethiopian food, and wow am I dying to try some more. Got the vegetable platter that came with injera (sour fermented flatbread) and it was not only plentiful, but also healthy and full of flavor! If I was from this area I’d come to this place every week. Very nice staff as well.“

“🤯 Biscuits are better than Khanfectionary in the Mission. The jalapeño biscuit for the breakfast sandwich was delicious and comes with a nice arugula side salad.

🥚 We also had the huevos on crispy little tortillas. Very good, especially with the chipotle sauce on the side.

☕️ pour over coffe was also lovely

🥰 the owner stopped by our table to check on us and she is a delight. She spent about a decade in Berlin, Germany, and brings some international flair to the café menu, ambience, and playlist.

🤤 the everything biscuit, the apple pie biscuit, and the Matcha strawberry biscuit are also worth trying. I personally like the everything biscuit the best, but if you want something a bit more sweet go for the 🍎apple pie biscuit, and if you want a lot more sweet (think bear claw level sweet) then go for the Matcha strawberry option. You better grab a coffee with that one though ‘cause it is SWEET.

🛋️ the place has eclectic seating, with a couple of couches a few two top tables and a few four top tables. Great to pop in on your own, or with a few friends.“

“Yesterday was our first time here. Staff was friendly & helpful. Ordered a chicken rice plate, shrimp rice plate and a Gyro. All of it was tasty. We all agreed we would gladly eat here again. We sat on the street, watching the world go by while shoveling in the delishness. Affordable & we paid with card. Could use some fresh paint & some deep cleaning though. Bathroom needs a gut job reno.“

“Incredible store. From downtown La and this store had more variety than most major chains and corner stores I go to, even some drinks and snacks that are really hard to find. The owner (I think) or whoever was working, asian guy, was a legend and hooked me up w a hot sandwich before 8am. Really good prices and variety“

“As a huge fans of acai bowl or any smoothie bowls, I really recommend this place. Among smoothie bowl places that i’ve been visited in Bay Area, this place has one of the most aesthetically pleasing bowls. The price is a bit higher compare to other smoothie bowl places, but it is worth it since they offer great variety of topping. The taste and the texture are okay. For me, I have anothe smoothie bowl place that I like more than this place in term of the taste, however, aesthetically-wise this palm-acai cafe is the winner“

“Kudos to the crew at Thornhill Cafe. Thank you for always taking good care of me. I love your green smoothies. They're refreshing and just make you feel good and your breakfast bagels are awesome. It's my favorite place to stop when I'm working in the hills of Oakland. Doesn't seem to matter how many people are in there. You still get us in and out in no time. You're the best!!“

“100%recomendado lo mejor el café ☕️ super rico 😋 👌 lo mejor muy bonito el lugar“

“Best breakfast burrito in the east bay. We live in Berkeley now and literally travel here sometimes we love it so much. I get the veggie breakfast burrito add sausage. Also love the chicken club sandwich and veggie sandwich. This place is so good for how unassuming it is!!“

“This was a great find for a quiet Saturday morning breakfast spot! We were looking for pancakes but also enjoyed their chilaquiles. The games were a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed a round of mancala. The coffee was delicious and my sons enjoyed the fresh fruit on top of the pancakes! Reasonable prices and they also have WiFi available! Decent location on the corner but we had to park a couple blocks away.“

“Love, love, loooove this cafe! Nomad is everything that you could ever want in a local neighborhood cafe! They’ve got delicious drinks, incredible food, outstanding service, great vibes, and they know their customers. I’ve been coming here for quite sometime now and I’ve never had a bad experience here.

My ultimate fave: Enjoying their chai latte and a pork chop banh mi on the patio. This combo is a win-win for me every single time. Recently, I’ve branched out of my norm and have become obsessed with their matcha latte and other banh mi’s as well. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything that you try here. It’s always gonna be the bomb.com!

What really seals the deal for me is the excellent customer service. The staff is so sweet and efficient. The owner Bee is an absolute gem! That fact that he remembers me and goes out of his way to say hi even when he’s busy working is truly an honor. I’m writing this review as I’m sitting here on the patio having lunch because I’m just so impressed.

Thank you to Bee and the wonderful staff of Nomad Cafe who make coming here so enjoyable! The neighborhood (and I) truly appreciate you all!“

“I showed up, unknowingly, a few minutes after closing time. On finding out that they had just closed, I was about to leave, but the owner, Albert, insisted that I not walk out hungry. He recommended a sandwich, and seated me at a table. I felt taken care of that day.“

“Go to Tanzie if you’re looking for a different experience! The food and drinks are creative and definitely highlights the flavor of the food.

The wait time is a variable, but it’s definitely worth the wait time😁. Unless you get there early expect 30 minute plus wait time.“

“Was is town visiting family & tried this great new place for post Thanksgiving breakfast. It was super! Order at the counter was quick & easy. Had a very nice flat white & blueberry muffin to start. Followed by squash shakshuka that was excellent. Talked to owner Jenny and she said food is sourced locally & they use in season produce, thus squash instead of the traditional tomato for the Shaksuka, that was served in a hot, small cast iron skillet made for fun presentation that kept the dish warm as I went back & forth from my coffee & muffin. Jenny does the baking & the muffin top was sweet with a tasty crust and the blueberries big & delicious. Behind the counter is an open kitchen where we could Benji (co-owner & spouse) hard at work. Interior is clean with ample breakfast seating, great for families, singles & couples. Art work from local artists featured on the walls, as well a unique LED clock. Was tempted to sit in cute outdoor courtyard but the morning chill kept us inside. Fast, friendly & attentive staff. Muffin was so good that I got a chocolate chunk cookie for the road & wish that I had bought several, so buttery good, crisp on the outside, soft on the inside with the right balance of chocolate chunks. You may need to search a little harder for Ukbar but it is definitely worth a trip & will be on my list for lunch when I’m back in town.“

“very excellent coffee ☕☕☕👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 recommended to anyone.“

“Very good food nice place and relaxing atmosphere 👏❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Great atmosphere. Clean and pleasant. Great place to have meetings and/or study. Really comfortable booths and open seating. Plugs at tables. Great selection of foods and drinks. Had a green iced tea and a black iced green tea that were great. Breakfast sandwich was wonderful too. Not greasy or heavy but it was a large portion.“

“#AmazingCoffee #RedBayCoffee 🥰🥤🧋☕🫖“

“I order my Highwire Coffee online, being that I live in Nevada City. While I love my local Foxhound Coffee, I found that Highwire's 'Bauhaus' coffee is beyond exceptional and I have to have both Bauhaus and my local coffee in order to function properly!😍☕️“

“Great view of Coast Guard island !“

“The delightfully friendly staff serve up truly delicious caffeinated concoctions...a wonderful way to start the day.“

“Very festive tea and light eats place. Teas, boba's, smoothies, food and dessert. My daughter brought me here after school and I was pleasantly surprised. Couches, tables beautiful decor. If you like tea or boba I'd highly recommend this place.“

“I love this place. Owner is very friendly and generous. I love the cappuccino and bagels with various toppings . Tuna melt is to die for! Mostly does take out so seating is never a problem and always comfy. Chill music. Also, very reasonably priced.“

“We came to Town Fare for the first time after finding out about the restaurant from the Bay Area KQED check please show. We were thrilled to try their chicken sandwich which came with breast meat and some coleslaw. The meat was very tender, cooked to perfection, the coleslaw had really nice flavors, and the buns were good too. The mac and cheese was also very good; the cheese had good flavor. The restaurant has a very open, clean, organic modern atmosphere. Many seating options inside and outside. The staff were nice. They have street parking around the museum and a museum parking garage. 10/10 Recommend.“

“😋 definitely recommend. Get the vegan Potato, the apple and also the beef for sure!! Their espresso is amazing too 😊“

“I can not express how impressed and blown away I was visiting Neptune’s today “on accident”. I was driving past neptunes today and we ran into car trouble right in front. We got out and pushed the car into the nearest parking lot which happened to be neptunes. We had just bought a used car in the neighborhood and was trying to make it home and the battery just died. We spent some time pulling out the battery and ran next door to the auto parts store to buy a new one. Out of the blue an employee walked us out some water and said “I saw you out here and it’s hot. Wanted to give you some water and ask if you needed help. “ blown away by his kindness I thanked him but we had it covered. Once we got the battery replaced I decided to get breakfast from Neptune’s to show my thanks for their hospitality. Wow was I blown away. The breakfast was amazing , the coffee on point and the hospitality was unmatched. I give 5 stars for all in. My youngest son said. That guy is a good man! And I agree if you’re looking for good service and great food. Stop here! You won’t regret it.“

“Idk I know people love this place, I just don’t really get kava. If you’re like me and hate the taste there’s tons of cocktails that drown out the taste. The vibe is interesting, from the outside it looks super cool but to be honest all the furniture is kinda cheap not super comfy and the crowd just really isn’t my vibe. I kind of get a weird vibe while I’m there. This place by no means is bad, it’s just not my cup of tea.“

“Traveled all over this year, but this is one of my all time favorite coffee shop finds. Solid food, good vibes, excellent coffee, and a barista who is one of the sweetest, most charming souls to ever serve me cardamom and hot bean water. Cannot wait to go back.“

“I can't begin to describe the love I have for this place. I don't think I can ever leave Oakland because that would mean no house of phin 🥺

Always the nicest workers, awesome vibes. Thanks for always making each visit a treat <3“

“Customer service is always welcoming, if you're social there's always a good conversation waiting or if you want to work with headphones on that's an option. The coffee or tea is great along with good food choices.“

“I found this place looking for a place to comfortably eat and work after an appt at the govt building.

FRESH and super tasty salad at reasonable cost and filling portion. I added the happy hour special octopus fritter. SOOOOOO good! I had to exclaim out loud how much I enjoyed the meal.

Super friendly and down to earth folks that deserve your business!“

“Shapeshifters is a great place for seeing artistic ideas, either to give or to get and the beer isn't bad either. Come out and support local artists they'll be glad you did and so will you.“

“Had a delicious mocha here this morning😋😋😋“

“There’s a similar café featuring asian flavors in the city that this place knocks out of the water - I got a coconut pandan latte that was strong while having the coconut and pa dan flavors shine through. The service was sweet and fast despite me coming in near closing (lol). The cafe has plenty of seating & seems like a good place to work (saw many groups hustling away on their laptops - didn’t look to closely to see if there were outlets)“

“Best diner food in the East Bay. Live music on second Friday of the month 6 to 8:30pm.“

“Their drinks are fantastic, the food is delightful and the vibe of this place is one of the best in the Bay.“